IIHS Crash Tests Confirm The Danger Of Small Cars

April 15th, 2009

The fact that this study came as news to a lot of people in the general media speaks volumes about the quality of their automotive reporting and their concern for public safety, but at least they’re finally getting around to reporting this story. Take particular care to note that none of the company PR people actually deny the results. All they can do is try to put up a wall of smoke around it or suggest a conspiracy by the IIHS.

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Auto Companies Use NY Car Show To Attract Buyers

April 8th, 2009

New cars were on the menu, of course, but so was the potential of a Chrysler tie-up with Fiat and its small car expertise. It’s all being done in the hopes of getting consumers to think about cars.

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GM And Segway Hope Two-Seat Scooter Solves Problem

April 8th, 2009

Nothing’s guaranteed yet, but if there’s enough interest in the machine GM and Segway hope they can put a two-seat transportation device on the market one day. It’s not the answer to all of our transportation issues, but it could help a lot of people. 

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China Hopes To Be Top Provider Of EVs And Hybrids

April 4th, 2009

In an effort to become a world power in transportation and perhaps reduce the potential pollution problems their growing market might cause, the Chinese have ambitious plans for their car companies.

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Various Plans Would Help Consumers Buy New Cars

April 4th, 2009

Cheryl and Chris Jensen in the NY Times deliver a comprehensive overview of the various ideas being considered to convince consumers to get into the new vehicle market. Whatever happens, it’s the best time ever to buy a new car, minivan or truck.

Posted in Advertising, Advice, Buying Tips, Financing, Incentives, Is There A Lesson Here?, Marketing, Program For Change, Sales, Save Money | 1 Comment »

U.S. Government Guarantees New Car Warranties

March 31st, 2009

It’s complicated and probably won’t make everyone happy, but the U.S. government has a plan to back new car warranties in the event of a financial crisis at the company that made the car. This NY Times story sheds some light on what it might mean.

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Ford Offering Major Benefits For New Car Buyers

March 31st, 2009

In an effort to get its sales moving again, Ford has brought forward a plan to make the ownership experience better for its customers. The best way to see what the Detroit firm has in mind is to consider the press release on the matter: Read the rest of this entry »

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GM Offering Major Benefits For New Car Buyers

March 31st, 2009

In an effort to get ahead of the pack on the customer service front (and get its sales moving again), GM has announced an impressive set of non-price incentives for new car buyers. The best way to see what the US firm is offering is to consider the original statement from the firm: Read the rest of this entry »

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Saturn Fights To Keep Its Name And Products Viable

March 20th, 2009

GM’s struggles to survive have put its most female-friendly division at risk, but the operators of the Saturn brand and dealerships are doing their best to keep customers interested. The lineup of products and no-haggle, no-hassle sales atmosphere should still be attractive to a lot of women.

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Does High-Tech Safety Actually Increase Car Danger

March 19th, 2009

People who love driving and worship cars regularly trot this theory out, and there’s certainly something to be said for some of their points. But it’s worth remembering that many more people died when cars were a lot more dangerous and the roads weren’t as well-designed. There are some tips for the smart driver looking for insights into how to deal with modern driving risks.

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OnStar Offers Poison Control Help For Humans And Pets

March 19th, 2009

When it comes to helping you with the widest range of automotive-related dangers, no service in the world comes close to GM’s OnStar safety-security system, and now the 24-hour service has added specific information related to a growing incidence of poisonings involving children and pets. For direct details on the service, go to www.OnStar.com.

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Five Good Reasons To Buy New American Vehicles

March 19th, 2009

All you folks who’ve closed your minds to the possibility that Detroit can do anything good with four wheels and an engine should read this story. It will show you how wrong you’ve been for some years, but does not point out that you’re probably spending more money on Japanese and Korean cars than you have to.

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Cash-For-Clunkers Scheme Under Consideration Again

March 19th, 2009

The theory with a cash-for-clunkers program is that reduces air pollution by getting older vehicles off the road and helps the economy by allowing people to buy newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles from North American car companies.

Posted in Financing, Gas Issues, Incentives, Marketing, Program For Change | No Comments »

Supermarket Chain In Germany Sells Inexpensive Cars

March 19th, 2009

One of Germany’s biggest supermarket chains is going into the business of selling small, low-cost cars directly to consumers the same way it sells canned goods or anything else, with a fixed price so there’s no haggling and a warranty from the manufacturer. Lots of people in North America might like that.

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Incentives Keep Growing As New Car Sales Drag

March 17th, 2009

Deals keep getting better on new cars, as auto companies struggle to find the right level of incentives to get buyers back onto their lots. The customers who decide to buy should get a better deal than ever.

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U.S. May Get Tough With Korea On Trade Barriers

March 17th, 2009

There’s supposed to be something resembling free trade between Korea and the U.S. regarding cars, but the truth is that it’s pretty much a one-way market (we buy theirs, but they block ours) and now the Obama administration and the Congress may do something about it. It’s costs thousands of Americans jobs over the years.

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Hybrid Car Sales Go From 60 to 0 As Gas Prices Stay Low

March 17th, 2009

The cars that so many experts were telling the car companies to make more of are now sitting around on new car lots everywhere, mostly because they make less fiscal sense than ever with gasoline prices so low. Even with various discounts currently on offer, it’s very hard to recover the premium you have to pay for a hybrid.

Posted in Advertising, Buying Tips, Dealerships, Gas Issues, Green, Incentives, Is There A Lesson Here?, Pricing, Product News, Technology | No Comments »

GMC Acadia Takes Top Prize For Pet Safety Features

February 24th, 2009

The large crossover from General Motors’ truck division has been judged the most pet-friendly new vehicle on the road today, thanks in no small part to its OnStar emergency notification system and other features.

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BBB: Probably Best Not To Buy Auto Warranty By Phone

February 24th, 2009

The key tip to this story is to avoid buying auto warranty extensions if someone calls you and tells you that you need to extend your coverage.

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When Do You Take Keys From Alzheimer Sufferers?

February 24th, 2009

At some time it will be just too dangerous to let Alzheimer sufferers take out the family car, and figuring out when that should be is a growing issue.

Posted in Accidents, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Program For Change, Sad stories | No Comments »

Service Will Do The Paper Work When You Get A Ticket

February 22nd, 2009

They won’t fight the ticket on your behalf or anything, but a new online service will do a lot of the administrative work associated with moving citations. 

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The Problem With Paying Cash For Beat-Up Old Cars

February 22nd, 2009

It sounds like a good idea to get rid of the vehicles that pollute the most, but the mechanics of it might not be so straightforward.

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Saturn Sky Roadster Deserves to Survive GM’s Woes

February 22nd, 2009

It’s not really a bad idea to buy a Sky from Saturn or a Solstice from Pontiac if you’re looking for a sporty two-seat roadster, since GM will supply parts and honor the warranty no matter what.

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Cell Phones And iPods Can Make Walking Dangerous

February 22nd, 2009

You don’t have to be in a car to be a counted as a traffic fatality, as being hit by a car gets you on the list as well. That becomes a more likely happening if you tune out the traffic around you by talking on the phone or listening to some music.

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Big-Ticket Car Companies Feel The Economic Burn

February 20th, 2009

Either because fewer people can afford them, or because more people no longer want to appear too ostentatious, or maybe even because more people realize they’re really not worth the extra money, “premium” cars are not selling the way they used to. The boss of Audi of America says: “This recession is one that is not respectful of social class.” In these times it’s probably too much to ask him to show some.

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Ford Seeking “Socially Vibrant Agents” For Test Drive

February 20th, 2009

In an effort to get some buzz going for its sub-compact Fiesta model from Europe, Ford is looking for 100 people in the U.S. to test the car for several months. There’s a website you have to visit, and of course you’ll be required to post something on YouTube.

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Car-Industry Examples Prove Goal-Setting Is Bad

February 20th, 2009

All those folks out there who like to brag about being “goal-oriented” either in work or their personal life ought to read this story, and so should the people around them.

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Saturn Brand Set For Extinction In GM’s Revival Plan

February 19th, 2009

This is extremely bad news for people who want to escape the hassle and haggling of a traditional new car dealership to buy excellent new products (Aura, Astra, Vue), but General Motors says it has to be this way if the company will survive.

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First-Hand Example Of How Thieves Get Purses From Cars

February 18th, 2009

A reporter in Orlando made a small mistake the other day regarding the safety integrity around her car and is paying a big price for it. The best part is she can now help other people avoid the same problem.

Posted in Advice, Driving Matters, Is There A Lesson Here?, Law Enforcement, Safety, Warnings | No Comments »

Sorting Out What Optional Features You Should Get

February 18th, 2009

When the time comes to actually buy a car, it’s often difficult to understand which features you should make sure are part of the package. This story helps you sort out which things are worth the extra money and which aren’t. 

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Saab Fans Worried GM Will Let Swedish Brand Fold

February 18th, 2009

The global economic problems that have forced much of the auto industry into crisis are probably going to result in the death of some iconic brands, and the many people who love Saab are afraid their favorite marque will be one of them. Right now, it doesn’t look good.

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How Detroit Restructuring Could Affect Consumers

February 18th, 2009

Every person’s situation is different, of course, but there are some generalizations that can be made for what the financial troubles in Detroit mean to consumers and this writer at the Washington Post does a pretty could job of explaining them.

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Buying New Car Online Should Be Part Of Auto Changes

February 13th, 2009

Not being able to buy a new car online costs most consumers money, consumer groups believe, so there’s a push to change the way auto purchasing works as part of the overall restructuring of the industry.

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World’s Longest Finger Nails Broken In A Car Crash

February 13th, 2009

Her life may not be in danger, but Lee Redmond’s status in the Guinness Book Of World Record may in jeopardy following a car crash in Utah. Mostly the injuries came because she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the car. The longest nail was about 3.4 inches long.

Posted in Accidents, Cute stories, Law Enforcement | No Comments »

Progressive Tailors Insurance To Fit What You Can Afford

February 10th, 2009

This is pretty interesting, since it speaks to a growing concern across the country. It has limitations, to be sure, but it could work for lots of people feeling the economic pinch.

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